Ohio State lost a receiver and a defensive end yesterday, and possibly a running back. Whether
any or all of them return is an open question.

Sophomore receiver Duron Carter has left OSU and enrolled at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community
College, where he will play this fall.

Defensive end Keith Wells, who would be a third-year sophomore this fall, will not play for OSU
in 2010, the school announced. No reason was given, but as is the case with Carter, academic issues
likely are the reason.

And incoming freshman Rod Smith did not enroll for the first summer session, which began
yesterday. He is the only member of the incoming class who did not enroll, with the exception of
Jamel Turner, who is recovering from serious gunshot wounds and is not expected to ever play for
the Buckeyes.

Carter and Smith did not return calls yesterday.

Carter, though, signaled his intention to play for OSU again. On his Twitter page, he posted,
"And yes, I would love to go back to OSU. I'm a Buckeye all the way."

Per NCAA rules, Carter must spend the fall semester at Coffeyville before he could potentially
return to OSU in January. If Carter wanted to play for a major-college team other than Ohio State,
he would have to wait until after the academic year was over.

He would have two seasons of eligibility remaining wherever he goes next.

A source close to the team said that OSU officials not only want to see Carter improve his
grades, but also his attitude toward academics and class attendance.

Coffeyville coach Damian Dulin said Carter ended up there through the efforts of one of his
assistant coaches, James Lott, who is a former NFL player and assistant coach and an acquaintance
of Carter's father, Cris.

Dulin said they emphasized Coffeyville's academic environment to Duron Carter. The school has
about 1,300 students.

"That was kind of our selling point with him," Dulin said. "We have smaller class sizes, and
it's a much smaller town. He can come through here and get back to where he wants to go."

Carter had a promising freshman season, working as the No.3 receiver at times and catching 13
passes for 176 yards and a touchdown. He was academically ineligible to play in the Rose Bowl, and
he also missed all of spring practice because of academic issues.

In his absence this fall, Taurian Washington, Chris Fields and James Jackson could compete for
more playing time, as could incoming freshmen Tyrone Williams and James Louis.

Wells played briefly as a freshman in 2008 before redshirting last season. He had four tackles
and a sack in the spring game in April.

Smith (6 feet 3, 220 pounds) is highly touted, considered an Eddie George-type runner with a
combination of speed and power. He compiled 6,625 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns for Harding High
School in Fort Wayne, Ind.

It's possible he could fulfill whatever requirements he needs over the summer and report in time
for fall camp.